Investigation of DeLand man run over by police officer to be completed soon

Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 12:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 5:46 p.m.

Details of what happened when a former DeLand police officer ran over a popular Spring Hill barber may soon come to light as state troopers expect to finish their investigation in the coming weeks, Florida Highway Patrol officials said.

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“The case involving the death of Marlon Brown in Volusia County, on May 8, 2013 remains under investigation,” said FHP's Sgt. Kim Montes. “Troopers expect to be completed with the investigation by the end of the month.”

Brown, 38, was knocked down by a DeLand police patrol car driven Officer James Harris, 25, and run over and killed near a vegetable patch off of South Delaware Avenue in the Spring Hill community of DeLand around 12:37 a.m., according to law enforcement reports. Brown had initially sped away from a traffic stop a Volusia deputy attempted after seeing Brown without a seat belt.

After the deputy discontinued his efforts to make the traffic stop, he radioed other law enforcement officers in the area that Brown had fled. DeLand police Officer Justin Ferrari spotted Brown at Parsons Avenue and Beresford Avenue and pursued him. Brown turned south on Delaware Avenue, a dead end.

Brown jumped out of his still moving car in an empty lot behind 960 S. Delaware Ave. and ran to get away from police. That was when Harris, who was fired May 31 by DeLand police Chief Bill Ridgway, drove past Ferrari's stopped patrol car and ran over Brown, according to preliminary information released by authorities.

The death of Brown, a popular Spring Hill barber, sparked community leaders to calling on authorities to investigate the death. Leaders also stressed patience as the investigators do the job.

The West Volusia Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also said it is conducting its own investigation while Volusia County Councilwoman Joyce Cusack called on a task force to be formed to improve the relationship between the Spring Hill community and DeLand police.

Brown had more than two dozen arrests in 20 years and was released from jail in April after serving time for drug possession. Friends believe Brown likely did not have a valid driver's license the night of his death and cite his fear of returning to jail as the reason he ran.

Montes said the investigation of Brown's death has delayed a separate probe into the death of Trevon Lacy, 17, who died when he crashed his Ford Expedition into a parked semi on Adelle Avenue near New Hampshire Avenue in September of last year.

DeLand Officer Matthew McCormick, who resigned from the department, chased Lacy after seeing him without a seat belt.

<p>Details of what happened when a former DeLand police officer ran over a popular Spring Hill barber may soon come to light as state troopers expect to finish their investigation in the coming weeks, Florida Highway Patrol officials said. </p><p> “The case involving the death of Marlon Brown in Volusia County, on May 8, 2013 remains under investigation,” said FHP's Sgt. Kim Montes. “Troopers expect to be completed with the investigation by the end of the month.” </p><p> Brown, 38, was knocked down by a DeLand police patrol car driven Officer James Harris, 25, and run over and killed near a vegetable patch off of South Delaware Avenue in the Spring Hill community of DeLand around 12:37 a.m., according to law enforcement reports. Brown had initially sped away from a traffic stop a Volusia deputy attempted after seeing Brown without a seat belt. </p><p> After the deputy discontinued his efforts to make the traffic stop, he radioed other law enforcement officers in the area that Brown had fled. DeLand police Officer Justin Ferrari spotted Brown at Parsons Avenue and Beresford Avenue and pursued him. Brown turned south on Delaware Avenue, a dead end. </p><p> Brown jumped out of his still moving car in an empty lot behind 960 S. Delaware Ave. and ran to get away from police. That was when Harris, who was fired May 31 by DeLand police Chief Bill Ridgway, drove past Ferrari's stopped patrol car and ran over Brown, according to preliminary information released by authorities. </p><p> The death of Brown, a popular Spring Hill barber, sparked community leaders to calling on authorities to investigate the death. Leaders also stressed patience as the investigators do the job. </p><p> The West Volusia Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People also said it is conducting its own investigation while Volusia County Councilwoman Joyce Cusack called on a task force to be formed to improve the relationship between the Spring Hill community and DeLand police. </p><p> Brown had more than two dozen arrests in 20 years and was released from jail in April after serving time for drug possession. Friends believe Brown likely did not have a valid driver's license the night of his death and cite his fear of returning to jail as the reason he ran. </p><p> Montes said the investigation of Brown's death has delayed a separate probe into the death of Trevon Lacy, 17, who died when he crashed his Ford Expedition into a parked semi on Adelle Avenue near New Hampshire Avenue in September of last year. </p><p> DeLand Officer Matthew McCormick, who resigned from the department, chased Lacy after seeing him without a seat belt.</p>